If you love the flavor of moist, delicious red velvet cake, this cake parfait recipe is definitely for you! Made with a simple cake mix and a delicious cream cheese custard, these red velvet cake parfaits are the perfect dessert for a date night, Valentines’ Day or even Christmas dinner!
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Are you a red velvet cake lover? These red velvet cake parfaits are definitely for you. Made with a simple red velvet cake mix, and layered with a simple no-cook cream cheese custard, these cake parfaits are easy to assemble for any occasion.
This cake parfait recipe is assembled in clear wine glasses, however, you could also assemble in one large trifle bowl and serve as dessert for Valentine’s Day, Christmas or any other occasion.
In this post I’ll show you what you will need to make these red velvet parfaits, how to assemble, and the tools you’ll need to make this simple dessert a success.
What do I need to make a cake parfait?
Here’s a quick reference grocery list of the ingredients you’ll need to make this simple, delicious dessert:
- Red Velvet Cake Mix – you can find red velvet cake mixes at most grocery stores. Either name brand or store brand will work well for this recipe.
- Eggs – you’ll need three eggs for the cake mix batter.
- Vegetable oil – vegetable oil is needed for the cake mix batter. You can also substitute coconut oil.
- Water – water is needed to go into the cake mix batter.
Ingredients for the no-cook cream cheese custard:
- Cream Cheese – cream cheese is the main ingredient in the cream cheese custard that goes in between the layers of the cake. Either name brand or store brand can be used.
- Whole milk – whole milk is used to create the custard. I don’t recommend using skim milk. You can substitute half and half for the milk to make the custard.
- Vanilla extract – vanilla will give the custard a delicious flavor.
- Sour Cream – sour cream will give the custard an ultra-creamy, smooth texture.
- Powdered sugar – used to sweeten the custard, the powdered sugar will provide an ultra-smooth texture to the filling.
For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of the post to the recipe card. Thank you!
How do I make a red velvet parfait?
To make cake parfaits, you’ll need two essential ingredients; cake and a custard filling. You could also add a whipped cream layer as well. I would recommend using my homemade Cool Whip recipe, as it is a great stabilized whipped cream recipe.
Start by baking the cake. For this recipe I used a simple red velvet cake mix, baked according to the package directions. I baked the cake in a 9 x 13″ pan.
Once the cake comes out of the oven, let the cake cool completely to room temperature.
How do I assemble cake parfaits?
Once the cake has cooled completely, cut the cake into small 1″ squares. Add 4-5 squares to the bottom of clear glasses. You could also use a large dessert trifle dish instead of using individual glasses.
Making the no cook cream cheese custard for the cake parfaits
This cream cheese custard that is poured in between the layers of cake, is simple to make, no cook, and needs just a few ingredients.
To make the custard start with room-temperature cream cheese. The cream cheese should NOT be cold, as you’ll end up with a lumpy custard. To soften the cream cheese, place the cream cheese still in it’s foil packaging, into a sink with warm water for 30-45 minutes.
To make the custard, add the softened cream cheese to a mixing bowl along with the milk and vanilla. Mix on medium speed with a hand or stand mixer. Add in the sour cream and mix until smooth and well incorporated, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl.
Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until smooth. Refrigerate the custard until ready to assemble the parfaits.
Assemble the parfaits by layering cake squares with 2-3 tablespoons of custard per layer. Alternate cake and custard layers until all ingredients are used.
Top the parfaits with additional cake crumbs. You could also garnish with heart-shaped chocolates for Valentine’s day, holiday sprinkles for Christmas, cocoa powder or even mini chocolate chips.
Do you love a great cake mix dessert? Check out some of our other recipes using cake mixes:
- Red Velvet Oreo Poke Cake
- Mixed Berry Cobbler with Cake Mix
- Blueberry Cobbler Dump Cake
- Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies
- Cake Mix Peach Cobbler
- Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies
FAQ’s about making cake parfaits:
Traditionally, a cake parfait is made with layers of cake, custard and sometimes whipped cream. These ingredients can be customized with the addition of fruits, nuts, chocolates and other toppings.
When refrigerated a cake parfait will last for up to 3 days. The custard will begin to over-moisten the layers of cake, making them mushy over time.
A cake parfait does need to be refrigerated. The layers of custard are typically made with cream cheese, milk, and or sour cream, therefore necessitating refrigeration.
When served for an even or party, a cake parfait can be left out for 1-2 hours for serving. Keep any leftovers refrigerated. If left out for more than 2 hours, discard the dessert.
Just about any kind of cake flavor can be used in a cake parfait. Chocolate, vanilla, lemon, red velvet, carrot and coconut just to name a few. The parfaits can be layered with complimenting custards, puddings and toppings.
If you loved this delicious cake dessert, check out our other popular cake recipes:
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Red Velvet Cake Parfaits
Equipment
- 9 x 13" Pan This non-stick 9 x 13" Cake Pan is one of my favorites!
- Stand Mixer This KitchenAid Stand Mixer is a mainstay appliance in my kitchen!
- Wine Glasses These stemless wine glasses are perfect for making cake parfaits.
Ingredients
- 1 (13.25 oz.) red velvet cake mix
- 3 eggs large
- 1 cup water
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
For Cream Cheese Custard:
- 1 (8 oz. pkg.) cream cheese softened
- 1 cup whole milk
- ¾ cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a 9 x 13" pan with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, add the cake mix, eggs, water and vegetable oil. Mix on low speed for 30-60 seconds with a hand or stand mixer, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber scraper. Mix for 1-2 more minutes until the batter is smooth and all ingredients are completely combined.
- Pour cake batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean and crumb-free. Set cake aside to cool completely to room temperature.
- While cake cools, in a clean mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, milk and vanilla extract. With hand or stand mixer, beat together on medium speed. Stop to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the sour cream and continue to beat until ingredients are smooth. Add in the powdered sugar and beat until completely combined and smooth. Mixture should be slightly thick and have a custard consistency. Refrigerate custard until ready to assemble the parfaits.
- Once cake is completely cool, cut into small 1" squares. Place 4-5 cake squares into the bottom of clear wine glasses. (You can also use one large cake trifle bowl instead of individual glasses.) To the top of the cake squares ladle in 2-3 tablespoons of the custard. Add another layer of cake squares on top of the custard. Continue this process until all ingredients are used.
- Top the cake parfaits with additional red velvet cake crumbs, red sprinkles, chocolate chips or any other desired topping. Keep parfaits refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
Nutrition
This looks so pretty and so yummy!!! We have friends coming over for dinner this weekend and I was just wondering what might be a fun dessert to serve. This looks perfect!! Thanks so much, Erin – I’m really loving your blog!
Hey Marlena! Yes, these are a fun dessert, that are easy to make and look “extra special”. Yummy, too! Hope you’re doing well, my friend. Enjoy!
I had a similar problem with Maddie ‘s first birthday cake : )
I turned it into cake balls, do you remember them at Cox farm Pumpkin patch,
: )
I Rach, I definitely remember that day. That was the first day I met you, and I remember the cake balls, too. Good times! 🙂
This looks fabulous Erin! Love red velvet!!
Looks so delicious! I love red velvet!
these look delicious. I love the idea of serving them in wine glasses so romantic and classy!
Thanks so much, Krysle! Yes, the glasses are great, as you get to see the layers of cake and custard – and definitely romantic, too! 😉
These are beautiful! I love Red Velvet anything.
These are beautiful! I haven’t made any red velvet recipes, but I love looking at them 🙂 Pinning this to my Valentine’s board!
I am just loving these beautiful parfaits! Pinned!
What a gorgeous dessert, and awesome save! 🙂
Ohhh these parfaits look so good!!!! What a great idea to use red velvet cake, sounds absolutely delicious!!! YUM!!
This is very creative, making a parfait with the RV action! Thank you so much for sharing this parfait with all of us this past week at the SSS party… and I’m choosing to feature this in the morning! See you there! (=
Thanks so much Gloria!! You totally made my Saturday morning! Have a wonderful weekend! ~Erin
What a great use for a crumbled cake….these look amazingly delicious!! Just wanted to let you know I’m featuring you tonight at Saturday Night Fever!
Thanks so much, Cathy!!
These look beautiful and delicious. I love that you served them in wine glasses, so creative! I’d love for you to share them with us at Sewlicious Home Decor. We love treats like this!
Marti
Perfect for July 4th desert just add Blueberries on top for your Red White and Blue 🙂
You’re right, Elaine!! These would be awesome for July 4th! Have a wonderful holiday weekend. ~Erin
How far ahead can these be made and kept in the fridge? I’m hostess for a party and I can’t have anything that has to be served as soon as you make it.
You could make them up to a day in advance. Definitely a great make-ahead dessert and perfect for a party. Enjoy!
how do you thicken the frosting??
To thicken, simply add more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
soooo yummmy , can you pls advise what is the 3/4 c. half and half ?
Thank yoy
it says half and half but of what /
1/2 & 1/2 is the name of it, you find it in milk refrigerator in store
thank you for nice information
All the sections are explained beautifully. Keep sharing such articles.